“Of all ennobling sentiments, patriotism may be the most easily manipulated. On the one hand, it gives powerful expression to what is best in a nation's character: a commitment to principle, a willingness to sacrifice, a devotion to the community by the choice of the individual. But among its toxic fruits are intolerance, belligerence and blind obedience, perhaps because it blooms most luxuriantly during times of war.”
![“[Former chief executives] come away thinking that America needs a strong, functioning presidency to succeed, and they become very protective of that office. Democrats and Republicans alike are willing to put aside their own party's self-interest to preserve the presidency. That's been true over…” quote by Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/898/nancy-gibbs-2206_america_former-chief-executives-come-away-thinki_104173.jpg)
![“We are all these things [...]. Pride, desire, compassion, cleverness, belligerence, fruitfulness, loyalty...and guilt. But above it all stands love. And if we desire to be more than human, that is the star by which we must set our sights.” quote by Jacqueline Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70b/jacqueline-carey-1938_belligerence_we-are-all-these-things-pride-desire-com_2558300.jpg)
